# Is @storybook/addon-docs ESM-only? Can you require() it?

> @storybook/addon-docs@10.6.0 is ESM-only. ESM-only since 10.0.0 — last CommonJS version is 9.1.20.

Storybook Docs: Document UI components automatically with stories and MDX

Last verified Sep 9, 2026 against @storybook/addon-docs@10.6.0.

@storybook/addon-docs dropped its CommonJS build in 10.0.0 (October 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 9.1.20, published Mar 5, 2026.

require("@storybook/addon-docs") failed in our probe on Node.js 20+ as well; see the runtime table for the error before relying on it. On Node.js 18, which has no require(esm), require("@storybook/addon-docs") fails with ERR_REQUIRE_ESM.

## What to do

1. require("@storybook/addon-docs") failed in our probe on Node.js 20+ as well; see the runtime table for the error before relying on it.
2. From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const addonDocs = await import("@storybook/addon-docs"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports.
3. If you need a synchronous require() or run Node.js 18: npm install @storybook/addon-docs@9.1.20, the last CommonJS release (published Mar 5, 2026).
4. TypeScript: types are bundled; install nothing extra.

## Facts

- Latest: 10.6.0 (Sep 2, 2026)
- Module format: ESM-only
- Last CommonJS version: 9.1.20
- ESM-only since: 10.0.0 (Oct 28, 2025)
- TypeScript types: bundled
- Node engines: not declared
- Weekly downloads: 15.6M
- License: MIT

## Runtime test results for @storybook/addon-docs@10.6.0

Installed and executed on Sep 9, 2026 with require("@storybook/addon-docs") from a CommonJS file and import "@storybook/addon-docs" from an ES module.

| Runtime | require("@storybook/addon-docs") | import "@storybook/addon-docs" |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js 18 | fails (ERR_REQUIRE_ESM) | fails (ReferenceError) |
| Node.js 20 | fails (ReferenceError) | fails (ReferenceError) |
| Node.js 22 | fails (ReferenceError) | fails (ReferenceError) |
| Node.js 24 | fails (ReferenceError) | fails (ReferenceError) |
| Node.js 26 | fails (ReferenceError) | fails (ReferenceError) |
| Bun 1.4.0 | fails (ReferenceError) | fails (ReferenceError) |

## How to import @storybook/addon-docs

ES modules:

```js
import * as addonDocs from "@storybook/addon-docs";
```

Namespace import shown because the ESM entry may have no default export; use named imports for what it exports.

CommonJS:

```js
// require("@storybook/addon-docs") failed in our probe on Node.js 20.19+, 22.12+ and newer as well (ReferenceError: document is not defined); see the runtime table.

// Any Node.js version the package supports, from an async function:
async function main() {
  const addonDocs = await import("@storybook/addon-docs");
}

// Or pin the last CommonJS release:
// npm install @storybook/addon-docs@9.1.20
```

## Module format by version

Derived from the type, main and exports fields of every stable release on npm (397 versions; the newest 60 shown).

| Versions | Format | First published |
|---|---|---|
| 10.0.7 – 10.6.0 | ESM-only | Nov 11, 2025 |

## Frequently asked

**Is @storybook/addon-docs ESM-only?**

@storybook/addon-docs@10.6.0 is ESM-only. @storybook/addon-docs dropped its CommonJS build in 10.0.0 (October 2025). The last version with a plain require()-able CommonJS entry is 9.1.20, published Mar 5, 2026.

**Which version of @storybook/addon-docs still supports CommonJS / require()?**

9.1.20 is the last version of @storybook/addon-docs with a CommonJS build. Install it with "npm install @storybook/addon-docs@9.1.20". Every version from 10.0.0 on is ESM-only.

**How do I use @storybook/addon-docs from a CommonJS file?**

From a CommonJS file, use a dynamic import inside an async function: const addonDocs = await import("@storybook/addon-docs"). That works on every Node.js version the package supports. require("@storybook/addon-docs") failed in our probe on Node.js 20+ as well; see the runtime table for the error before relying on it. Alternatively pin @storybook/addon-docs@9.1.20.

**Does @storybook/addon-docs work in Bun?**

Importing @storybook/addon-docs failed in Bun 1.4.0 on Sep 9, 2026: ReferenceError: document is not defined

**Does @storybook/addon-docs ship TypeScript types?**

Yes. @storybook/addon-docs bundles its own type declarations; no @types package is needed.

## Links

- [@storybook/addon-docs on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@storybook/addon-docs)
- [Source repository](https://github.com/storybookjs/storybook)
- [HTML version](https://canirequire.com/package/@storybook/addon-docs/)
- [JSON version](https://canirequire.com/package/@storybook/addon-docs.json)

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